With the rapid proliferation of electronic devices globally, from smartphones to computers, industrial machines to household appliances, the demand for electronics continues to soar, necessitating a shift towards more sustainable sourcing and manufacturing methods. This transition involves adopting practices that minimise resource consumption, reduce waste generation, and mitigate environmental impacts throughout the product’s lifecycle.

One of the primary focuses of sustainable manufacturing in the electronics industry is the efficient use of resources, particularly energy. Manufacturers are increasingly investing in energy-efficient technologies and processes to reduce the electricity consumption associated with production. This includes the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind to help power manufacturing facilities, as well as the implementation of energy-saving measures like LED lighting, efficient motor drives, and advanced HVAC systems. By minimising energy consumption, companies can reduce their carbon footprint whilst also lowering operating costs, making them more competitive in the long run.

Manufacturers are also constantly developing new products that feature lower power consumption and/or low power sleep modes to help customers develop more innovative and sustainable products which reduce energy usage throughout their lifetime. In addition, manufacturers such as STMicroelectronics and ROHM Semiconductor also recognise the benefit of offering long term commitment on the availability of the products they produce, in some cases this commitment can be up to 10 years. This is particularly relevant with products such as semiconductors and displays where the fast pace of consumer trends can often mean last year’s cutting-edge technology is now obsolete. This commitment to long-term supply is an especially important consideration for customers developing industrial products. It means they can design products with confidence that the components used will be available throughout the expected lifecycle of the product reducing the need for redesigns and the waste associated with updating PCB boards.

The supply chain for manufacturing also has a critical role to play in sustainability. We are all aware that the extraction and processing of raw materials used in manufacturing can have significant environmental and social impacts, including deforestation, habitat destruction, water pollution, and labour exploitation. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that considers the entire supply chain from source to end product.

As a responsible distributor, Anglia works closely with our supply partners to provide customers with clarity on the sustainability of the products we supply. We have recently set up an environmental resource hub on our website, www.anglia-live/sustainability, which not only provides Anglia’s Environmental Policy statement, it also aggregates available information from each manufacturer we represent, detailing their environmental policies, compliance with international regulations on the use of hazardous materials (e.g. REACH, RoHS), conformance with modern slavery regulations, and the responsible sourcing of raw materials by avoiding conflict regions. This is a valuable resource which avoids customers having to search each and every manufacturer’s website for compliance information, saving them time and money – it also helps to speed up their own regulatory processes.

We are continually endeavouring to minimise any environmental impact of our own business activities by reducing energy use. For many years we have utilised smart building management sensors to control our energy efficient LED lighting and HVAC systems automatically. We are also reducing packaging materials and waste. Following the introduction of standardised recyclable box sizes throughout our distribution centre, assisted by intelligent software which automatically selects the optimum sized box to ship the goods in. Not only has this significantly reduced the use of infill packing materials, it also minimises the weight and size of each parcel, thus decreasing the number of delivery trucks required to transport the goods and fuel consumption in the process. We now use plain un-branded boxes to allow our customers to reuse the box. Our branding is shown only on the recyclable paper sealing tape, dispensed by automated machines to the optimum length to securely seal the box (that was previously selected by our intelligent software), this has reduced the quantity of tape we use each year by more than 65%.

We also pay particular attention to the movement of electronic components from our partner manufacturers’ production sites into our distribution centre, and the subsequent onward transit to our customers’ production facilities. To make these processes as sustainable and volumetrically efficient as possible, we have employed intelligent purchasing AI algorithms, fine-tuned over many years by our own software development team. This ensures our system automatically calculates the optimum quantity we order for any given product. The AI takes into account the minimum order quantity, pack multiples and lead-time, along with actual, historical, and forecast customer demand, and any anticipated market dynamics. Balancing these variables helps to ensure our deliveries are optimised, consolidated, and routed to minimise the number of shipments and miles the goods travel reducing overall carbon emissions and costs associated with transportation.

Other steps we have taken to improve sustainability include providing EV charge points and cycle storage at our facilities, making it easier for visitors and colleagues to choose sustainable transport options. When we moved to our current two-acre site, we landscaped the surrounding area introducing trees, shrubs, other plant life and a large pond area to enhance and diversify the local environment. For more than three decades we have continued this eco-commitment, most recently with the addition of beehives and bug hotels into the now mature parkland area surrounding our buildings, helping to maintain a healthy balance within the local ecosystem. We also work with the organisation ClimatePartner to accurately calculate the carbon footprint of our business and we support climate impact projects around the world to ensure we offset our emissions.

Sustainability extends beyond the supply chain and production phase to encompass product design, distribution, and end-of-life management. Designing products with longevity and repairability in mind can help extend their lifespan and reduce the frequency of replacements, thereby minimising resource consumption and waste generation. Additionally, adopting some of the previously mentioned practices such as sustainable packaging and optimised supply chain logistics, can further reduce the environmental impact associated with the transportation and distribution of the finished products.

In conclusion, sustainable manufacturing in the technology sector is essential to mitigating environmental impact and promoting responsible consumption and production practices. By embracing energy efficiency, resource conservation, waste reduction, transportation optimisation, and hazardous substance management, manufacturers can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also enhance their reputation and attract environmentally conscious consumers whilst contributing to a more sustainable future for the planet. Through close collaboration with supply chain partners, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers, we can all drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable industry.

This article originally appeared in the July/August issue of Startups Magazine. Click here to subscribe

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